Plan would dissolve local boards, put court-appointed lawyers under state control

JOHN DeSANTIS Senior Staff Writer

Friday

May 18, 2007 at 11:53 AMMay 18, 2007 at 1:00 PM

THIBODAUX -- A move to consolidate Louisiana’s system for providing lawyers to poor defendants -- if legislative approval is obtained -- would have little noticeable effect on most people awaiting trials in Terrebonne, Lafourche or surrounding parishes.

But a local lawyer who was a chief architect of the plan says long-term benefits will include smaller caseloads for lawyers who serve the poor and, in some cases, more access to resources such as expert witnesses.

House Bill 436, now on its way for consideration by the Senate, creates a statewide Public Defender Board that will replace individual boards now sitting in each judicial district.

The boards oversee local administration of legal services to those who cannot afford lawyers.

Supporters say creation of one board for the entire state will eliminate disparities in representation from parish to parish.

"This bill is the result of 16 or 17 different versions," said Anthony Champagne, the chief public defender for Terrebonne Parish, who worked closely with legislators and other lawyers to craft the proposal.

Supporters of change say greater access to resources is needed as a matter of constitutional law.

Champagne said having a statewide chief public defender and centralized administration will go a long way toward increasing accountability.

Under the proposed law, each parish or judicial district would still have its own local office for coordinating legal counsel.

State-level resources have long been provided in capital cases to local defenders. The new system would operate in much the same way.

The level of service provided to criminal defendants has come under fire of late, particularly in Orleans Parish, where defendants have been released from jail due to inadequate representation.

Not all local lawyers are as bullish on the idea as Champagne is, however.